Texas leaders defend Black official after lawmaker’s public interrogation of DEI policies left her in tears
Texas Water Development Board Chair L’Oreal Stepney wiped tears from her eyes Thursday as a House hearing turned into a tense line of questioning over race and the future of state hiring practices. The exchange left Stepney visibly distraught, ignited a broader discussion about political rhetoric and respect in state government and caught the eye of Texas’ “Big Three” — Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows. During an appropriations subcommittee meeting, where state agencies present their financial requests for the next state budget, Rep. Brian Harrison, R-Midlothian, pressed TWDB officials, including Stepney and another Black official, Edna Jackson, on whether the agency’s hiring policies prioritized diversity over merit.
Recent Posts
Texas anti-war veteran among those aboard Gaza aid flotilla intercepted by Israeli Navy
Bexar County encourages residents to get pets vaccinated after confirmed rabies case in fox
First Look: San Antonio’s much-anticipated Elsewhere Too will debut this Saturday
Judge orders the immediate release of Texas DACA recipient
San Antonio’s largest homeless shelter, Haven for Hope, welcomes new president and CEO
Calling for televised public executions (in Christ’s mercy) with Texas pastor Joel Webbon
State-of-the-art adaptation of Mozart’s The Magic Flute hits San Antonio’s Tobin Center
Study: Texas among states with most prosecutions for pregnancy-related crimes, post-Roe
Texas Rep. James Talarico outraises Democratic rivals as he chases John Cornyn’s Senate seat
San Antonio grocer H-E-B names first female president in its history
"My job is to find and attract mastery-based agents to the office, protect the culture, and make sure everyone is happy! "